Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-07-07
GRAFT0N'S BIG FIRE.
A CORRESPONDENT GOESOygR THE BURNED
DISTRICT.
The People Bearing the Blow With Resignation
and Helping Zach 0Ihsr-AddidOnal Losses
Indignation At the Wheeling Fire Boards
Refusal Of Assistance.
Slsctal 7,lsram 70 he Reqiaer.

di, trict presents forlorn appearance to-
day. 4 few delapidated brick walls re-
main standing, and here and there soli-
tary chimney, standing like sentinel
overlooking the blackened ruins OF what,
the day before, was the most compact and
prosperous part OF our town. 1t would
bring tear to the eye of the most inditfer-
ent locker on to witness the efforts of some
of the principal loosers by this dire con-
fagratiOn to appear resigned to their own
losses, while doing everything possible to
aid, comfort and save their neighbors.
Preparations have already been made
Tor rebuilding Mr.. Geo. Brinkman will
at once beian the erection of q three story
ire proof building on the site of the old
furniture and hardware store adjoining
his Opera House. Architect Mcconnell of
Clarksburgh is here on the grounds prepar-
ing the plans for the new building. Mr..
Braullman has concluded to abandon his
first idea Of remOdehng and enlafging the
present Opera House, and will build fine
hall 5Ix70 feet, with all modern improve
ments, including a new and improved mode
Generalization. The hall will comprise the
second story of the building and when COM
pleted will be- one of the handsOmest and
cusiest places OF amusement III the State.
DIR. A. NJ. Gorrell and Mr.. Z. Flannery
will also rebuild at once. 1t is to be hoped
that the Central and Valley hotels will be
speedily rebuilt, the hotel accommodations
being very limited at present. The Graf
ton House, Ward House and the Airing
ton are crowded with the homeless guests
OF the other hotels. Still the rates re-
main the same aud no selfish advantage is
taken of the present necessities of their
patrons by the hotel men. Our people are
doing everything possible to console and
assist the distress Of those who lost every
thing BY the tire and in 4 few days it Is
hoped that business can be resumed by
most, If not all, who were SO suddenly
and ruthlessly berelt of all their property.
THE PEOPLE ISCENSED.
The people of this town, irrespective OF
parties, are not little incensed ut the
polite" reasons given by your Chief Of
Fire Department in to-day's REGISTEE, for
refusing to send assistance here in response
to the appeal for help, and equally so at
the unfeeling and almost cruel manner in
which Editor Hart, OF the htcHigeRcrr, al
ludes to our misfortune, which he editOn-
ally calls 'Graiton's SeOrching. The
terrible calamity which swept over this
| town like n beSOm of fdestructiOn, carrying
with il in its wreck Of matter over $780,
| 900 of the hard earnings Of our people
aud leaving many of our worthy citizens
without a dollar, and large number with
| ont a roof TO cover them, should at least
command the sympathy and not the sneers
of all Christian people. Grafton was not
asking advice from Editor Hart, and wants
none of his special pleadings for the fail
ure of his City Fire Commissioners TO aid
| us in our great need, neither will
her people appeal to the cold charity which
/ he suggests As leading citizen re-
| marked to-day to your correspondent IN
pointing 10 the ruins, IF that's what Mr..
| Hart calls little ScOrching, may the great
| dispenser of all things save us from FIRE
! I'm what marked contrast stands the action
OF the city of Erie, in the Clarendon fire,
A. published IN this mornings paper,
whsn compared with the selfish conduct OF
| Wheeling's Fire Board. The former city
sent her complete fire works, and did not
| hesitate te debate the burning capabilities
| of Fourth of July fire crackers. Let Mr..
| Hart read the record of the latter fire, as
published in his own paper, and ne will he
| able TO see the contrast.
THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Loss.
The loss Of Mr. o. S. Mckinney, editor
/ and proprietor OF the .IdRidrd-ERtsTpriSe
j. much greater than at first supposed. tie
had an insurance OF s., 800, hut to com.
pLny in which he held the policy sent m
agent here about a week ago the cancel the
risk, It being considered too hazardous.
The presses and most of the type are a
complete loss. Mac mas plenty Of
| grit, ," however, and has arranged to have
the paper printed as usual this week,
| hut OF course il will necessarily be
diminished in size. In a week or ten days
! the establishment will he in full blast
a,sain, and the Standard will resume its
place in the front rank Of Democratic
newspapers in the State.
In addition To the losses reported yester-
day, and which in the hurry, and excite
meut | failed 10 note, are W. ID. Swain,
! i've frame honstS, valued at j., 600; w. ID.
| Raw, timer, about $6OO. comprising all his
| tools and stock of tinwaTe; Mrs. CapitOla
| Raherbaugh, confectionery and boarding
house, 500; II. J. Mugler, hardware,
4 81. 900.
The timbers under the ruins are still
burning, and it requires close and constant
watch to prevent further fires, especially
\ in case Of high wind. A force OF extra
police were on duty all day yesterday and
throughout the night guarding unprotected
property OF all kinds that had been thrown
better skelter everywhere, filling the
streets and sidewalks.
have Just learned that the Commercial
! Hotel Will he rebuilt at once. James
Jennings is also preparing to put up a large
| brick building on his lot. and no doubt IN
few days several Others will be under
| Roadway.